Conference noted::bicycle

1905.0. "Call your (Mass.) senator" by ULTRA::WITTENBERG (Uphill, Into the Wind) Tue Apr 16 1991 20:20

Call or write your state senator to urge support for bicycling in Massachusetts!
Please distribute this message and ask others to call/write their state senator!
We need support from all of Massachusetts!
 
Decisions made in the Mass. Senate in the next few days or couple of weeks are
going to affect whether our roadways get better or worse for bicycling!  It's
crucial that senators hear from their consituents.  It really makes a
difference.  Here's what you can do:
 
1. Get the name of your state senator (and representative while you're at it)
   from your city/town hall.  You can also get information from the state
   elections division at (617) 727-2828.
 
2. Get phone numbers (if still needed) for your legislators from the State
   House information line at (617) 722-2000.  Or write your rep/senator
   at State House, Boston, MA  02133.
 
3. Call/write your state senator right away.  It's also a good idea to
   call/write your representative, but not as urgent timewise.  Be sure to
   identify yourself as a consituent and ask to speak with the
   senator/representative or an aide.  Urge them to support the amendment to
   the transportation bond issue to fund a state bicycle program manager.
   If you want to know more, here's some background:
 
The state transportation bond issue currently includes $3 million for bike
path projects.  An additional $8.3 million is being reauthorized from
previous bond issues.  The Boston Area Bicycle Coalition and others are
promoting an amendment to redirect $100,000 of these bond funds (less
than 1% of the total) to suport a state bicycle program manager in the
state DPW for two years.  The idea is that this person would:
 
	*  See that the bike path projects are built to national (AASHTO)
	   standards;  previous bike paths often fail to meet these standards.
 
	*  See that the state DPW accomodates bicycles in all appropriate
	   roadway (not bike path) projects.  This means things like considering
	   lane widths, striping, guard rails, drainage, etc as if bicycles
	   existed, instead of ignoring them as they do in most cases.
 
The amendment involves no new authorizations.  It simply redirects a small
amount of the funds already earmarked for bicycling.  The amendment is being
spearheaded by Senators Wetmore and Shannon.  Please urge YOUR state senator
to support this amendent.  If Wetmore or Shannon is your senator, call them
and thank them -- this is important too -- so they know their consituents are
behind them.
 
4. You can also call/write the chair of the Senate Ways & Means committee,
   Patricia McGovern (D-Lawrence).  If you write your senator, send her a copy.
   If you call your senator, make a 2nd call to her office at (617) 722-1481.
   You will probably speak to an aide (which is fine).  Again, urge support
   for the bond issue amendment to redirect a small amount of the bike path
   funds to support a state bicycle program manager.
   
Info/questions to:	Andy Rubel (617) 868-8948
			Bill Taylor (617) 983-9463